Sleigh



UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

, \VILLIAM O. POWELL, OF COR RY, PENNSYLVANIA.

SLEIVGHL SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 416,643, dated December 3, 1889.

Application find April 29, 1889.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WIIJLIAM O. POWELL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Corry, in the county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Speeding-Sleighs; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a perspective View. Fig. plan view from above.

This invention relates to certain improvements in sleighs, having for its object to se- 2isa cure speed, lightness, and strength, as well as to give the driver full control of the horse, while allowing the horse perfect freedom of movement; and to these ends the nature of the invention consists of the novel construction and combination of parts, as will more fully appear from the following description and illustration.

In carrying out my invention I employ runners A A, and upon these is mounted the seat B, supported by the bowed or curved side bars C C and arms or branches 0' thereof. These bars are continuously curved throughout their lengths, the forward ends connecting with the extreme upper or forward inwardly-curved ends of the runners A A. The rear portion of said side bars, standing just far enough apart toform the back frame of the seat, as at a, are connected together at their extreme rear or upper ends by an upward curved or bowed cross-piece a, forming the back rail of the seat. The arms or branches 0 of said bars, uniting at their lower ends with the latter about at the middle, extend up and support the forward edge of the seat. The seatis otherwise constructed in the usual manner, having preferably a reticulated bottom and forwardly and downwardly curved arms.

The side bars 0 C, with the runners A A, gradually diverge forward and stand wide apart at their forward ends, the shafts D being connected thereto in rear of the front ends of the runners, bringing the cross-tree of the Serial No. 309,078. (No model.)

shafts or thills close to the runners. This arrangement permits the horse to be geared up comparatively close to the driver, so as to give him better or full control of the animal,

while at the same time allowing the latter per rear portions of the side bars, the set 0 from the front legs to the forward portion of the side bars, the set 0 from the rear legs to the top connecting-bar (1 thereof, and the set 0 extends from the said bar to the extreme upper ends of the arms or branches 0 of the side bars 0.

Bail-like rods or suspenders e e, having secured upon them at intervals slats e and fastened at their rear ends to the top cross-bar d of the rear legs and at their forward ends to the side bars 0 0, form the foot-rest for the driver.

It will be observed from the foregoing that lightness, as well as strength and durability of construction are secured, while providing for the speedy and free movement of the animal geared to the sleigh, and bringing the sleigh well forward to give the driver full con- .trol over the horse.

Having described this invention, what I claim, and desire tov secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The sleigh having the seat-supporting side bars and their branches curved upward and rearward, the forward portions of said side bars diverging and standing wide apart, bringing the same about in alignment with the shafts or thills, substantially as set forth.

2-. The sleigh having sets of braces or rods applied, one set between the forward parts of the runners and the side bars, one set between the front legs and the side bars, one set between the rear ends of the runners and the rear legs, one set between the hind or rear legs and the upper parts of the side bars, one set between the hind legs and their top connecting-bar, and one set between the said bar and the upper ends of the branches or arms of the side bars, substantially as set forth.

3. In a sleigh, the forward-diverging runners and curved side bars meeting and joined together at the forward ends of said side bars, the cross-tree connected to said side bars back of their forward ends at their lowest portions, the curved branches of the side bars supporting, the front of the seat, the back connection at the rear and upper ends of the side bars, and the seat supported by said side bars and their curved branches, substantially as specified, and also dropping the bottom below the curved side bars or body part, thus enabling 'the driver to sit in a natural position and at A. F. BoLE, W GEO. A; NANTES. 

